Secretary Clinton: "Colonel Qadhafi’s Campaign of Violence Against His Own People Must Stop"

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Paris on March 19, 2011 for a meeting with our European allies and Arab partners about the enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 1973 on Libya. During a press availability in Paris, Secretary Clinton addressed the passing of former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, the situation in Bahrain, and next steps in regards to Libya. The Secretary said:

"Before we begin, I want to say a few words about Warren Christopher. He was a friend, a mentor, and truly a diplomat's diplomat. He served our country with such great distinction in so many capacities over his long and very productive life. There are a lot of days in this job when I ask myself, 'What would Warren do?' From the Balkans to the Middle East, to China and Vietnam, he helped guide the United States through difficult challenges with tremendous grace and wisdom. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and with his many, many friends and colleagues throughout our country and around the world.

"Now, this has been a quick but productive trip, and I want to give you a brief update and then answer your questions. First, let's remember how we got here. As you know, Americans and people around the world watched with growing concern as Libyan civilians were gunned down by a government that has lost all legitimacy. The people of Libya appealed for help. The Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council called for action.

"The international community came together to speak with one voice and to deliver a clear and consistent message: Colonel Qadhafi's campaign of violence against his own people must stop. The strong votes in the United Nations Security Council underscored this unity. And now the Qadhafi forces face unambiguous terms: a ceasefire must be implemented immediately -- that means all attacks against civilians must stop; troops must stop advancing on Benghazi and pull back from Adjabiya, Misrata, and Zawiya; water, electricity, and gas supplies must be turned on to all areas; humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach the people of Libya.

"Yesterday, President Obama said very clearly that if Qadhafi failed to comply with these terms, there would be consequences. Since the President spoke, there has been some talk from Tripoli of a ceasefire, but the reality on the ground tells a very different story. Colonel Qadhafi continues to defy the world. His attacks on civilians go on. Today, we have been monitoring the troubling reports of fighting around and within Benghazi itself. As President Obama also said, we have every reason to fear that, left unchecked, Qadhafi will commit unspeakable atrocities.

"It is against that backdrop that nations from across the region and the world met today here in Paris to discuss the ways we can, working together, implement Resolution 1973. We all recognize that further delay will only put more civilians at risk. So let me be very clear about the position of the United States: We will support an international coalition as it takes all necessary measures to enforce the terms of Resolution 1973.

"As you may know, French planes are already in the skies above Benghazi. Now, America has unique capabilities and we will bring them to bear to help our European and Canadian allies and Arab partners stop further violence against civilians, including through the effective implementation of a no-fly zone. As President Obama said, the United States will not deploy ground troops, but there should be no mistaking our commitment to this effort.

"Today, I was able to discuss next steps with the full group and also conduct smaller focused conversations with many of my colleagues. I met first with President Sarkozy and Prime Minister Cameron. Both France and the United Kingdom, along with other key partners, have stepped forward to play a leading role in enforcing 1973. We reviewed the latest reports from the ground and discussed how we can work together most effectively in the hours and days ahead, and how we would work very cooperatively with our other partners, including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, as well as others that are not in that long list.

"I also had the opportunity to engage today with my Arab counterparts, including Foreign Minister Zebari of Iraq representing the presidency of the Arab Summit, Secretary General Amr Moussa of the Arab League, Prime Minister Hamid bin Jasim of Qatar, Sheikh Abdallah bin Zayid of the UAE, Foreign Minister Fassi Fihri of Morocco, and Foreign Minister Judeh of Jordan.

"We have said from the start that Arab leadership and participation in this effort is crucial, and the Arab League showed that with its pivotal statements on Libya what really that meant. It changed the diplomatic landscape. They have sent another strong message by being here today, and we look to them for continued leadership as well as active participation and partnership going forward.

"With Sheikh Abdallah and Prime Minister Hamid bin Jasim, I reiterated our strong and enduring partnership. The United States has an abiding commitment to Gulf security and a top priority is working together with our partners on our shared concerns about Iranian behavior in the region. We share the view that Iran's activities in the Gulf, including its efforts to advance its agenda in neighboring countries, undermines peace and stability. Our Gulf partners are critical to the international community's efforts on Libya, and we thank them for their leadership.

"We also had a constructive discussion on Bahrain. We have a decades-long friendship with Bahrain that we expect to continue long into the future. Our goal is a credible political process that can address the legitimate aspirations of all the people of Bahrain, starting with the Crown Prince's dialogue, which all parties should join.

"Of course, that process should unfold in a peaceful, positive atmosphere that protects the freedom of peaceful assembly while ensuring that students can go to school, businesses can operate, and people can undertake their normal daily activities.

"My GCC counterparts said they share the same goals in Bahrain. Now, Bahrain obviously has the sovereign right to invite GCC forces into its territory under its defense and security agreements. The GCC has also announced a major aid package for economic and social development in Bahrain. We have made clear that security alone cannot resolve the challenges facing Bahrain. As I said earlier this week, violence is not and cannot be the answer. A political process is. We have raised our concerns about the current measures directly with Bahraini officials and will continue to do so.

"With all of these partners, we have discussed the urgent humanitarian needs arising from the crisis in Libya. I thanked the Arab leaders for their generous contributions to aid refugees fleeing Qadhafi's violence, and we agreed that this will be a critical concern in the days ahead. Egypt and Tunisia, in particular, will need all of our support. The United States has made significant pledges of assistance, and we look to all our allies and partners to join us in this work.

"Now, this is a fluid and fast-moving situation, which may be the understatement of the time. And I know that there are lots of questions that people have about what next and what will we be doing. So let me just underscore the key point: This is a broad international effort; the world will not sit idly by while more innocent civilians are killed. The United States will support our allies and partners as they move to enforce Resolution 1973. We are standing with the people of Libya and we will not waver in our efforts to protect them."

Comments

Comments

Boyke.Lengkong

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Indonesia

March 20, 2011

Boyke L. in Indonesia writes:

Hi madame Hillary Clinton,I'm you're fans from jakarta Indonesia..it's a nice to know you and have a mother like you..as a ex first lady...you are the stronger women and such a great power to the world...I like to chatt with you might be one day..but I'm not a perfect persons ass I know & I realized of that ..many thankss for you and may God' Jesus Bllesing you and Mr. Clinton and Chelsea Clinton too...

Best regards,
Boyke L.

Ravnogorac

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Serbia

March 20, 2011

Ravnogorac in Serbia writes:

All this with Libya is a major crime AMERICA !!!!! Aggression, to be kidnapped Libyan oil - and that is the whole philosophy. What protection of civilians, any freedom, the struggle for a democracy there - ALWAYS THE SAME LIES THE WEST!! Bear up LIBYA!! Do not give up Gaddafi !!!!!!! SERBIA IS TO LIBYA !!!!!!! TO VICTORY !!!!!

I'm not going to bore the readers with the details, as folks can read the article for themselves and reach their own conclusions.

More interesting anyway to talk about how to deal with this particular development in a way that thwarts the intent of those creating it.

First I would kluge a few resources together and isolate the compound, and call in every concert sound production company I could find ready to move out and bring their gear, to set up and "Rock the Casbah", suppressing any and all hostility that may be directed at the perimeter.

Then pump in at max concert volume, Jimi Hendrix's " Machine gun " and "Star Spangled Banner"( woodstock vers.) 24-7, over and over and over again.

Lack of sleep alone will have them puddled down to surrender mode.

It just requires some patience.

Don't forget to give the friendlies sonic ear valves like pro musician's wear on stage, you don't want to make them deaf standing post on watch there.

(*) Music selection by author subject to the whims of the international coalition, assuming there's consensus on the notion that this proceedure may bring the least violent results.

If they martyr themselves, then the irreconcilables will have reconciled themselves.

I doubt if anyone could change the choice, but we can do a good job of giving them a choice in the matter between existance and non existance.

EJ

Farid P.

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Indonesia

March 20, 2011

Farid P. in Indonesia writes:

I think there is something wrong with Qadhafi’s Mind, maybe he get brain tumor / cancer or something like that :)

Regards,
Farid P.

took89

March 20, 2011

W.W. writes:

Libya turned into testing ground for new US, UK weaponryâ€

London, March 20, IRNA â€“ A British political analyst says Libya has turned into a â€œtesting ground for the new American and British weaponryâ€ including the Typhoon and Tornado jets.

Peter Eyre, a retired army soldier, also told IRNA that the UN Security Council resolution on Libya, which was sponsored mainly by Britain, â€œhas given the British military a free handâ€ in murdering the Libyan people.

â€œI am appalled that any country could allow such action to take place.... Libya is now a testing ground for the new European Typhoon aircraft,â€ he said, referring to the deployment of British Tornado and Typhoon jets over the Libyan airspace.

British jets and a submarine have fired missiles at Libya. Royal Air Force Tornados flew 3,000 miles from RAF Marham, in Norfolk , and back to carry out their bombing mission.

Also, a British Trafalgar Class submarine and US submarines fired a total of more than 110 Tomahawk missiles at Libyan targets.

The resolution decides to â€œestablish a ban on all flights in the airspace of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in order to help protect civiliansâ€, exempting humanitarian flights, and authorises member states and Arab League nations â€œacting nationally or through regional organisations or arrangements, to take all necessary measures to enforce compliance with the ban on flightsâ€.

Eyre said the resolution gave power to invading forces to turn Libya to a testing ground for depleted uranium weaponry and also fourth generation dirty weapons manufactured in the US and EUâ€.

Eyre said Western countries will use whatever means possible to secure their â€œown long-term politico-economic goalsâ€ in Libya.

He explained that there was a â€œdistinct PR exercise by the US, UK and French and the media to butter up the true situationâ€ in Libya before the passage of the resolution.

â€œThe wording of this UN resolution is totally open to interpretation and the additional wording of allowing â€œall necessary measures required to protect civiliansâ€ can truly give the military a free handâ€ he said, adding that this certainly has not painted a picture of creating a no-fly zone but rather â€œallowed the US, UK and France to attack any target in any areaâ€.

Eyre said he was shocked to hear one senior politician comment that he hoped our forces would be allowed to attack any target, especially at hitting armoured vehicles and tank.

â€œThis comment alone spreads fear and concern from deep within for the poor people of Libyaâ€.

â€œIndia views with grave concern the continuing violence, strife and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Libya. It regrets the air strikes that are taking place. As stated earlier by India, the measures adopted should mitigate and not exacerbate an already difficult situation for the people of Libya,â€ said the External Affairs Ministry in a statement issued here on Sunday.

It hopes that this would not lead to greater harm to innocent civilians, foreign nationals and diplomatic missions and their personnel still in Libya, the statement said.

The statement calls upon all parties to abjure use of or the threat of use of force and to resolve their differences through peaceful means and dialogue in which the UN and regional organisations should play their roles.

According to media reports, dozens of people had been killed as the US and European nations pounded Moammar Gaddafi's forces and air defenses with cruise missiles and airstrikes.

2160**1420
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30306731

Udall

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Morocco

March 20, 2011

Udall in Morocco writes:

The operation against Libya could end up being a good teambuilding operation that improves relations between the Arabs and the West.

"Believe me, one day you will wake up and you will find out that you were supporting the wrong people and you had made a big mistake in supporting those people," he told Christiane Amanpour for ABC This Week. "It's like the WMD [weapons of mass destruction] in Iraq. It's another story."

-BBC

---

The only mistake anyone has made is in not removing Ghaddafi and sons from their soap box long before this.

Inevitably bullies cry victim when called out to the woodshed.

Thus marks a new low in the archives of mental illness reported here to be alive and well on the world stage and existing in denial.

That boy needs a rubber room and it looks like he's about to get bounced off the wall in one.

Well, talkin' monkeys never cease to amaze me.

Daddy raised a parrot.

the66

March 23, 2011

W.W. writes:

US mind its own contradictory policies: FM spokesman

Tehran, March 20, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast while commenting on the recent statements of the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Sunday that the US government should better mind its own business and think about its contradictory policies.

â€œUS State Department, facing many confusions and contradictions, has engaged in criticizing the diplomacy of independent and role-playing countries like Islamic Republic of Iran because the US itself is caught in a cul-de-sac due to its long-lasting support for the despotic rulers and being an accomplice to their oppressions,â€ he added.

Mehmanparast went on to say that â€œwe propose US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to do something about the US contradictory policies in both supporting the dictators and at the same time pretending to be defending the rights of nations throughout the world.'

â€œHillary Clinton should do something about the rage and hatred of the nations from the US policies,â€ he added.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had warned Iran on Saturday â€œto stop meddling in affairs of Bahrain and other Arab states in the Persian Gulf .â€

2050**2050
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30306828

Eric

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New Mexico, USA

March 23, 2011

Eric in New Mexico writes:

(clarification) As a New Mexican and US citizen my prior post may have seemed to break with tradition in giving ethical infants all the rope they need to hang themselves by, but in saying someone should have kicked the soapbox out from under Ghadaffi and sons long before this, it's like watching a fellow dance at the end of a rope strangling to death on his words. A long drawn out affair...the world need not be witness to.

Well my feeling is that there's no inconsistance in this so let's kick it and be done with them, lest we continue to be unwilling to and fail to be compassionate in creating a little peace and quiet for everyone else.

Please give my best regards to Vladamir Putin, PM of the Russian Federation...

Looks like he went and bought himself a rope.

Fortunately his buddy the President of Russia informed him that might not be a real good idea.

When logic dictates that only crusaders call for holy war.

And Forest Gump was right....

Now Mr. Putin owes the American people a sincere measure of his personal regret for presenting himself as such a complete jackass to us.

Not to mention looking like one of Ghaddafi's cloned parrots via his recent remarks about US/NATO "crusaders" in Lybia, to the entire global community.

Geeze, that's really going to encorage folks to invest in Russia's economy...NOT! Or promote the good feeling in Congress for their support of Russian WTO accention approval? I just shake my head in wonder.

I think Putin's just miffed at the thought of NATO/Russian missile defense cooperation becoming reality.

And targeting his anger in an inappropriate direction.

Doesn't make it any less stupid to do so.

So I hope the Dept of State will convey my best wishes in that PM Putin may "put a sock in it" anytime now. And by all means please tell him for me, "Attitude is everything."